FAQS

Common Concrete Questions in Troutdale, ORegon


Get quality building materials for your construction project. Learn more about concrete products and other concrete-related topics from the concrete experts at Troutdale Sand & Gravel Co in Troutdale, OR.

  • 1. What is concrete made of?

    Concrete is the mixture that results from blending Portland cement, water, sand, stone, and admixtures.

  • 2. How do you control the strength of concrete?

    The easiest way to add strength is to add cement. The factor that mostly influences concrete strength is the ratio of water to cement in the cement paste that binds the aggregates together. The higher this ratio is, the weaker the concrete will be. Every desirable physical property that you can measure will be adversely affected by adding more water.

  • 3. What is 3,000-pound concrete?

    It is concrete that is strong enough to carry a compressive stress of 3,000 PSI at 28 days.

  • 4. How do I know what strength (PSI) I need?

    Strength is usually determined by compression testing and is expressed in Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). Here are some examples of common uses for different strength concretes. Note: These are not exclusive. Designers and structural engineers may specify different strengths for specialized construction projects.

    • 2500 PSI can be used for fence posts, pole barn post holes.
    • 3000 PSI is a standard multipurpose mixture for general use in construction. Commonly used for private sidewalks, patios, footings, and foundations.
    • 3500 PSI can be used for footings, foundations, garages, driveways, hot tub pads.
    • 4000 PSI is used for heavy use floor slabs such as shops, warehouses, or RV slabs.
    • 5000 PSI and higher concrete mixes are normally used for specialized construction projects where high impact resistances, very low wear rates, or extreme conditions are expected.
  • 5. How is concrete measured?

    Ready-mixed concrete is sold by volume measured in cubic yards. A cubic yard is 3 feet long x 3 feet wide x 3 feet high.

  • 6. How much area does one cubic yard cover?

    One cubic yard will cover 162 square feet if spread 2 inches thick. One cubic yard will cover 108 square feet if spread 3 inches thick. One cubic yard will cover 81 square feet if spread 4 inches thick.

  • 7. How do I know how many yards I need?

    Rule 324

    (Length in Feet X Width in Feet x Height in Inches) Divided by 324 = Cubic Yards of concrete


    Example 8' x 12' x 4" = 384 Divided by 324 = 1.185 Cubic Yards


    Or


    Rule 27

    (Length in Feet x Width in Feet x Height in Feet) Divided by 27 = Cubic Yards of Concrete


    Example 8' x 12' x 0.333333' = 31.999 Divide by 27 = 1.185 Cubic Yards

  • 8. How many yards can fit on your trucks?

    Up to 10 yards.

  • 9. How far can the chutes on your trucks reach?

    14 feet

  • 10. What is “Slump”?

    Slump is a measure of the consistency of fresh concrete.

  • 11. How is slump measured?

    Slump is measured using a right circular cone that is 12 inches high. The base of the cone is 8 inches in diameter and the top of the cone is 4 inches in diameter. The cone is filled with fresh concrete in three layers of equal volume. Each layer is stroked 25 times with a rod that is ¾ inch in diameter. The end of the rod is bullet shaped. After the cone has been filled and the concrete has been cut off level with the top of the cone, the cone is raised vertically allowing the concrete to fall or slump. The distance that the concrete falls or slumps from the original height is the slump of the concrete. Slump is measured in inches and is reported to the nearest ¼ inch.

  • 12. What size are your ecology blocks?

    2’x2’x3’ or 2’x2’6’

  • 13. How much do the ecology blocks weigh?

    2’x2’x3’ = 1750 lbs.

    2’x2’x6’ = 3500 lbs.

Get in Touch With Us

Get cost effective concrete materials that help you save on construction labor and time. At Troutdale Sand & Gravel Co, we offer environment friendly and high quality products at prices you will surely love. Get one step closer to finishing your project by getting in touch with us. For more information regarding our concrete material pricing and delivery options, please call us at (503) 665-4121.

If you have any additional questions about our materials we offer, call us today at (503) 665-4121 in troutdale, oregon.

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